My achin' veins

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

Anyone else suffer from varicose veins? Ever had 'em treated? Anyone work in a vein clinic?

I'm 34 and have had one running down my L leg since I was 18. Never bothered me much--flaired up a bit during 2 pregnancie, and even waitressed 6 years with no bother. Anyhow, now that I'm in nursing school, it's starting to bother me. Tingling, numbness and gurgling--I can actually feel the pooled blood bubbling up my leg sometimes.

I'd like to make an appointment and have it taken care of, and I want to go the non-surgical route. In the meantime, can anyone recommend a good brand of support hose? I feel like such an old lady. I'm also having knee and hip OA flairups, but that's another post...

I'd love to hear from other suffers! Thanks!

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Specializes in Surgical.

Ya, JOBST - the people who make those things for burn patients make great support hose too. Unfortunately they cost about $80! Lucky for me my doc recommended them and through the military clinic they were covered for me.

You might try going with just reglar commerical support hose to start with and see if they help. Just My Size makes some good ones. And of course theres the standard L'eggs. Get the "extra support" and see how they do before making a big investment.

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You can have it removed.

Maxs

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A vascular surgeon could do sclerotherapy or a mini phlebectomy (just taking out a small portion of the vein and tying off the ends, the scar is about 1cm long)

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Yep, VV-sufferer here. I underwent that newer procedure, radiofrequency ablation, in 2003. At the time, my surgeon said it had a 80% success rate. Well, I was one of the 20%. Bummer. Not only did the veins persist, but I have some nerve damage from the procedure. So, I have decided to live with the darn veins until something more certain is available. In the meantime, I have found J.C. Penney brand support hose to be pretty good. They are expensive, but very durable.

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I have pain medially on each calf.... would this be Vericose veins?

Sometimes soaking in a bath or using a heating pad helps, but it will reside if I lay down flat for awhile. Do you always see vericose veins?? I don't see a thing externally, but have wondered if this is what this is?? Maybe this is just muscular as rest clears it up rest but I must lay flat.... sitting upright with legs in recliner doesn't do it. What do think??

I know this is probably a really dumb question but is support hose like a sock or pantyhose? I've never actually seen it before, only heard it mentioned. I know I should know this! lol:rolleyes:

Hugs!

MaryRose

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Specializes in Women's health & post-partum.

There are a bunch of outlets on the web where you can buy surgical support hose, including the Jobst brand. After I was fitted locally, I've been buying mine from a mail order outfit called Support Plus (http://www.supportplus.com). They carry Jobst plus two or three other brands. I usually buy the "moderate" support, although I probably should buy the "firm" ones, but they're harder to put on! I think they sell the gloves that you can use to put the hose on with, also. I have a pair and they really do help.

I do recommend that you consider the surgical support hose. I bought some that were marked "firm" in a department store (Sears, I think) and the support from them was about the same as "mild" in the surgical support variety.

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Specializes in PICU, Nurse Educator, Clinical Research.
There are a bunch of outlets on the web where you can buy surgical support hose, including the Jobst brand. After I was fitted locally, I've been buying mine from a mail order outfit called Support Plus (www.supportplus.com). They carry Jobst plus two or three other brands. I usually buy the "moderate" support, although I probably should buy the "firm" ones, but they're harder to put on! I think they sell the gloves that you can use to put the hose on with, also. I have a pair and they really do help.

I do recommend that you consider the surgical support hose. I bought some that were marked "firm" in a department store (Sears, I think) and the support from them was about the same as "mild" in the surgical support variety.

I took the support hose they gave me during surgery last summer and used them one day when I had weird bilateral +2 pitting edema (I have no heart problems, wasn't premenstrual, it was just out of the blue). Totally got rid of the swelling, and my legs felt better after a 12-hour shift than they ever have. I don't use them everyday, but just when I feel like i need a little help.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

You can get TED brand without the hole in the toe. The last literally forever!

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.
You can get TED brand without the hole in the toe. The last literally forever!

I'll start w/ the support hose recommendations--I can barely get TEDs on a pt, I'd probably break my neck getting them on myself!

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I work for vascular surgeons and we remove varicose veins all the time. Many times the veins are caused by the valves in the saphenous vein not working correctly causing reflux. We perform phlebectomies and almost always strip the saphenous vein to prevent reoccurance. The support hose that our clinic recommends has 25-30 mmHg of pressure. We usually prescribe knee highs. We also recommend elevating the legs above the level of the waist, and preferably above the level of the heart to help decrease the swelling and pain and promote venous return.

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